'Sons of Anarchy' recap: Ending with a bang, some cuts and a rat-a-tat-tat

Pacing is one of my favorite things about "Sons of Anarchy" -- that creepy tension creator Kurt Sutter so deftly builds with nicey-nice scenes that ultimately lead to murder. The conclusion to Season 3 uses that technique to great effect, beginning with a lovey montage of Jax snuggling Tara, Jax cuddling Abel, Clay nuzzling Gemma and Agent Stahl actually smiling as she runs her hand over the bed linens once occupied by the lover she killed in the last episode.

You just know something bad is about to go down. And, since the IRA storyline needs to play out, it's sure to involve Jimmy O and Stahl. 

Last week, impossible as it seemed, Stahl appeared to be living up to her end of the deal: Getting Gemma off the hook for murder and helping the MC get out of serving major time. And Gemma, it seemed, posed a major threat to that deal by turning herself in.

But we all know nothing is ever what it seems in "Sons of Anarchy." As Gemma so wisely commented, "There's no trust. Something will go wrong. Somebody will get hurt. I promise you: It'll end badly."

The question is: For whom? It's quite a trick that "Sons of Anarchy" has viewers rooting for the murderous members of SAMCRO, who are just as nefarious as the Irish gunrunner Jimmy and the Machiavellian Stahl. This episode even saw Sonny Barger, one of the best-known and longest-standing members of the real Hells Angels, make a star turn as Lenny the pimp.

At least Jimmy got what was coming to him. So did Stahl. But will SAMCRO?

Probably not. But that won't be clear until next season.

-- Susan Carpenter

Photo: Ron Perlman (Clay) and Charlie Hunnam (Jax) in "Sons of Anarchy." Credit: FX

Comments

[robert]

I have been disappointed this year with the show,last night made up for it great ending.

[Mary]

Kurt Sutter deserves a standing ovation!

[Chris]

SPOILER ALERT (If you haven't watched the episode)

I am as big of an SOA fan as there is. But I think this episode was rushed and sloppy. Everything was wrapped up much too cleanly.

There were 3 files: Stahl's signed deal for Gemma, Jax's signed deal for the club, and the file containing the information Jax had collected on the IRA. For everything to work out the way it did, all 3 files had to be in exactly the right places at the right times. When the final act began, it just so happened that Stahl had already "turned in" Gemma's deal. It just so happened that the club's lawyer was there to accept Jax's deal when he handed it over. It just so happened that the IRA file was with Stahl rather than in the car with the other agents that drove away - that way SAMCRO could tear it up.

What are the chances that Stahl and Jimmy O. (the two people the club needed to kill) would stay behind with Unser. Probably not enough for it to be a good plan. And doesn't Unser struggle with wanting to do the "right" thing? I find it unlikely he'd go off the deep end and decide to be a part of a double murder. Opie spared Stahl once before. I suppose I can accept that once the club decided she had to die he would agree/want to carry out the sentence.

Jax's deal is just silly.
1. One person cannot make a deal for others. Everyone must sign their own document and make their own deal.
2. An FBI agent cannot "make a deal." I suppose she can recommend certain treatment, but a federal judge would be unlikely to let SAMCRO off easily considering their history with the law. Especially not now that the one that recommended the good deal is dead.

Not sure I buy that Tara and Gemma were left in the dark so they weren't considered accomplices. When has the club ever worried about accomplice liability? They trust the women to do their part and I'm not sure I understand why they wouldn't in this instance.

Still a big fan. Just being picky. I will be interested who Unser suggests punched him in the face and killed Stahl/Jimmy.

[Captain Howdy]

I saw the last episode last night. I actuly jumped up and clapped when Stahl was shot by Oppie. That scene was very cold. up until that point we have not seen him kill anyone. And the line "This how she felt" referring to his wife that was killed at the end of the first season by Tieg due to Stahl.

I can not wait for the next season.

However, the season of SOA seem very short as compared to the seasons of other shows. Why is that?

[Streets]

Chris:

If you wanted to be REAL picky, you would have indicated that Staul is ATF not FBI!

[sue]

We love SAMCRO, heard this was this was the final season. Please say it isn't so. We need to know what happens to Jax. Glad they finally got their revenge on Jimmy and espically Agent Stahl, what a dirt bag. Well we'll be waiting for season 4 please post time and day asap!! Thanks.

[Gail]

I thought last night was "wrapped" too neatly, but actually found it refreshing that, for once, things were wrapped up- to an extent. Remember now we have Maureen/John Teller letters to contend with- Please Kurt Sutter do not take season 4 for Tara to decide if she should/should not let Jax see them.
We all know Gemma and Clay killed John Teller, she has alluded to it enough through the seasons.
Opie killing Stahl was poetic justice, especially having her put her hand's were Donnas' would have been- I also liked seeing Stahl beg for her life- like any good Psychopath who believes they deserve to live, while their victims did not.
Chibs killing Jimmy O- well that too was a neat wrap- take care of my girls- what a statement that Psycho made.
All in all, in my opinion, last night made up for a terrible season that hopefully will not be repeated.

[Maggie]

Gail - what made Jimmy's comment even creepier is how he referred to the girls as "OUR girls" (my emphasis). What a psycho - I was glad Chibs finally got some revenge.

I thought last night's episode was great just b/c there was SO much closure, compared to last year's. Can't wait for the next season!!

[Angela]

Chris....

Unser will blame the IRA that's why Chibbs put the symbol on the windshield in blood.

Also, Jax signed a statement against the IRA and Jimmy, Stahl then signed her report recommending the lighter sentance for the club, which it seems would be honored. These weren't "deals" like we hear about on law and order, these were back alley deals between Stahl and Jax. And of course, with SAMCRO orchestrating everything documents wound up in the right places.

Also, Unser asked Stahl to stay with him, and of course Jimmy would stay behind (they're not going to take him to see if IRA are waiting).

As far as keeping Tara and Gemma in the dark... it is actually very rare for ol' ladies to be in the loop about anything.

Seems to me you haven't been watching as closely as you thought... or maybe you haven't studied MC culture as aptly as Kurt Sutter.

[wow]

this is one of the few times that it seems you actually watched the episode you critiqued Ms Carpenter. It only took the entire season...but whatever.

Great finale.

[Kyle]

-SOA was renewed for season 4 earlier this season.
-Stahl is ATF. If you're going to be picky.
-There's a reason Chibs wrote that blood cross with a circle on the car. It's an IRA sign. It was the same sign that was written on Cameron's forehead after he was killed earlier in the season. They're making it look like Stahl and Jimmy were killed by the IRA. It's plausible due to the fact that the IRA was looking for Jimmy to begin with. Unser can confirm it was the IRA as well.
-My guess is that they didn't involve Tara or Gemma just in case the plan didn't work.

[Lando-Smoke]

Its about time Chibs got his revenge... He should have chopped up jimmy into pieces... Agent stahl should have gottent her ass kicked by gemma first before opie did his thing... I like how opie told her how this time he had no mercy for her... Yep that bitch got exactly what she deserved... Great finale.... Hope next season they finally find out who killed luanne, otto's ol' lady, on season 1